Rules of the Ride: A Silver Star Ranch Novel (16 page)

B
reakfast was
a pleasant surprise and definitely curbed my cravings for breakfast foods. It’s been bacon, hash browns, and pickles that I can’t get enough of. It’s the strangest combination but seems to be my favorite lately.

My heart burst a bit when Maverik paraded us proudly into the diner and then put Beans in her place. He never took his hands off of me while there, as if he was silently screaming his claim to me. I knew being a productive citizen back here would be the toughest part of coming home.

No one besides Maverik and his family will ever understand why I ran away and the unimaginable hurt I experienced. Neighbors, fellow classmates, and even teachers will be forever staring at me like I’m an evil, poisonous venom set out to destroy. It was those exact stares and whispers that scared the shit out of me before returning, but after this morning, I don’t give a shit. Maverik is my shield of armor determined to protect me forever. With a love like that, no one’s opinion matters or has the power to affect me in the slightest.

“Where are we going?” I ask as Maverik turns in the opposite direction of the ranch.

“Just going to give Mav a quick tour of the town and arena.”

I lay my head down on his shoulder as he drives and chats with Mav and Granddad in the back seat. My eyes grow heavy with my tummy quite content and the two babies not kicking. I lace my fingers with his hand resting on my thigh before I close my heavy eyelids. It all feels like a dream. Maverik, being home, Mav so blissfully happy, a healthy pregnancy…it’s like I’m afraid someone is going to pinch me—waking me from the perfect dream.

When I feel the truck come to a stop, I stir a bit, but the sun is so bright I don’t want to open my eyes.

“Lay down, babe, I’m going to walk Mav around the arena.”

I let Maverik guide me down until my head rests on his rolled up coat. It only takes me a few minutes to doze right back off. I hear some other voices but don’t let them faze me as sleep takes over.

A shooting pain in my neck finally wakes me from a deep sleep and as I open my eyes, I notice I’ve been out for nearly an hour. The time flashes back to me from the dash of Maverik’s truck. He must have left the engine running, keeping the temperature of the cab comfortable. I slowly sit up while all my joints and muscles scream at me in sheer pain. My neck cracks as I slowly rotate it in circles.

At first it’s like the rodeo grounds are a ghost town, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was the only one here. As I slide out of the truck and my feet hit the ground, my bladder surges. I spot Merek’s truck closer to the bucking chutes and then hear several voices chatting it up. I wouldn’t be surprised if Maverik didn’t have his brother bring Arsine down so Mav could ride him in the arena.

I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle the amount of rodeo and levels of testosterone that I just put myself in. I can only pray for two little sweet princesses. I dart to the bathroom before I go join the group in the arena.

When I get closer to the entryway of the arena, I hear more and more voices and wonder what in the hell is going on. Laughter and light music fills the air, and when I swing the entry gate open, I nearly pass out from shock. I must still be dreaming or stuck in some dimension of the universe.

A makeshift dance floor, tables, chairs, and flowers fill the arena. It’s an odd picture for sure. A DJ is set up in the corner with his large speakers on either side of him. I spot Maverik with a longneck in his hand and a smile which covers his entire face. He’s chatting with Marvel, Weston, and Merek.

Mav spots me and tosses down his rope before he runs the length of the arena over to me.

“Mom,” he shouts as he sprints toward me. His voice seems to catch the attention of the crowd. I feel the heat of embarrassment attack my cheeks as everyone stares at me. Frantically, I stare down Maverik, wanting him to come save me from whatever in the hell is going down. He only shrugs and smiles even bigger back at me.

“Mom.” Mav is out of breath and bent over trying to catch it.

“What in the hell is going on, Mav?” I don’t break eye contact with Maverik across the arena.

“Language, Mom.” Mav stands up facing me. “We’re getting married today.”

My knees buckle and I may have pissed myself a wee bit. “We are what?”

“Surprise wedding day,” Mav shouts.

“Shhhh.” I grab Mav’s shoulder. “Who in the hell does a surprise wedding day?”

I scan the crowd again looking for Maverik and recognize several familiar old friends and all of his family. My heart thuds even louder in my chest.

“Maverik’s marrying us today. This is all yours, Mom. You get him forever.”

Mav’s words settle my nerves and nearly bring me to tears. Passion, love, and desire mingle together and not even one word on the face of this Earth can express the love and happiness coursing through me, even if I’m bright red from embarrassment.

A Heart Like Mine
by Miranda Lambert starts playing as the crowd parts, leaving an aisle for me to walk down.

Mav taps my belly, grabbing my attention as he holds up his arm for me to take.

“Dad said you’d know what to do when this song starts playing. Said it was your song.”

Tears like no other type of tears I’ve ever cried begin to pour down my face as I lace my arm in Mav’s and begin walking toward Maverik. The closer we get to him the clearer everything becomes. He’s standing next to Judge Connor with his brothers standing behind him. Challis and my best friend, Sammy from high school, stand on the other side with hot pink bouquets.

“How?” I whisper.

“He loves you, Momma.”

I freeze and turn to Mav, grip his face in my hands and talk through my tears. “Are you okay with this? Are you truly happy? Mav, you’re my world and I have to know you’re okay with this.”

I feel his little palm cover the back of my hand on his face. He’s my world and everything I’ve fought for and the true gift from God that kept me fighting for so many years.

“Mom, Mav…I mean Dad, asked me if he could marry you and I knew he was going to do this. I want a dad and a home with you and the babies. You’ve always given me everything I’ve ever wanted and now I just want a dad.”

The day I gave birth to Mav was the scariest day of my life. I entered the automatic doors of the hospital in tortuous pain and fear. Labor lasted over twenty-four hours, then a little black-haired boy came out in the world screaming and crying. The sound of his cry erased the pain of the rape, his innocent eyes staring up into mine gave me reason to survive, but it was his beautiful spirit that filled my world that gave me the best present ever.

I clutch his face while bending down and kissing his forehead. “I love you, Mav. You rescued me at a time when there was no one else in my life. You’ll always be my saving grace.”

“I know, Momma.”

I stand back up and wipe the last of my tears and finally realize this is my happily ever after, and crying is no longer an option. I’ve spent years locked away in the tower of a castle. My prince saved me and now it’s time to become his queen.

No, I’m not wearing the white gown and crystals I always dreamt about on my wedding day. I’m clothed in so much more.

Granddad steps up to me before I reach Maverik, wrapping me up in a huge hug and kissing my forehead. He doesn’t say a word as his actions mean so much more to me.

Mav urges me on, pushing me from behind. Our guests don’t miss his little shove of encouragement as laughter spreads out.

“I hate you,” I say to Maverik when I reach him. “In the absolute best way, that is.”

“I couldn’t let another day go by, Ella, without giving you my last name.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

The judge doesn’t waste any time starting the ceremony. Maverik clutches both of my hands as we stare into each other’s eyes and repeat after Judge Connor. As Maverik stares back at me I’m no longer worried about someone pinching me, waking me from the perfect dream. He’s all in and here to give me the world. I can’t help the smile on my face and feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. Scratch that…the most blessed girl.

“Do you two have vows you’d like to exchange?”

“I do,” Maverik says. I don’t miss the emotion coating his voice and give his hands an extra squeeze.

“No words right now can possibly convey what I’m feeling. Ella, you’ve been my only love. We’ve been through hell and back. Now is our time to live out the rest of our story.” Maverik pauses for a bit as his emotions have turned to tears. I’ve never seen the man cry in public. I know it’s not what he wants and can’t help the passion coming from him.

“Take your time, baby. It’s all we got.” I lean in and lightly kiss his cheek.

He clears his throat and begins again. “We were best friends in first grade and then turned into lovers later on in life. Ella, the only time I’ve been whole as a man or a cowboy is when you’re by my side. I’ll love you unconditionally for the rest of eternity. No other woman will ever measure up to you in any way. I’ll be the best husband and father because of the grace of your love.”

His words devastate me in the best way possible. No tears this time. My only joy is in the form of giddy happiness.

“Ella?” Judge Connor stares at me.

“Well.” I clutch Maverik’s hands even tighter. “I wasn’t expecting waking up to my wedding, but then again nothing has been expected in my life. A city girl with an attitude who fell hard for the hometown cowboy. Maverik, you’ve always been my rock even when you didn’t know it. You protected me on the playground and later on in life you were my savior and didn’t even know it.” I pause, reaching over and wiping away his tears and smile at him.

“You never gave up on me, even when I’d given up on myself. You’ve owned me forever and today I hand over my heart and soul completely to you as I live out the rest of my days as Mrs. Maverik Slatter.”

I have to hold myself back from jumping into his arms and kissing the ever loving hell out of him. My vows shock me as they pour from my mouth. Hell, no amount of time would’ve been enough to sit down and write those. It’s like it was all meant to be no matter how ugly and scarred the path was getting here.

“The rings.” Judge Connor looks between us.

Maverik reaches into the pocket on his shirt and pulls out a beautiful ring. The one I’ve always wanted. It’s the ring he proposed with so many years ago. I have no idea how the sneaky little shit got it, but he did. In this moment, it shines with radiance from my finger and is the perfect picture of us joining lives today.

“Ella?” I look up to the judge, who is patiently waiting on me.

“I-uh, I…”

“Ella.”

I turn around to Granddad, who has stood from his seat. He walks slowly over to us in his jeans, western shirt, and straw hat.

“Here.” He fumbles for a bit as his cane drops to the ground and then he slides off his white gold wedding band from his finger. I barely remember Maverik’s grandma, but his granddad has worn that ring forever. I hear Maverik grunt in disapproval, but before he has a chance to protest, Granddad begins to speak.

“This ring was meant for Maverik and it’s time it is given to him.” He places it in my palm and I know his words aren’t meant to be argued with.

Granddad stands behind me as I slide the ring on Maverik’s finger. My king has just had his crown placed upon him. In silence between him and his granddad, he was just given so much more than a ring. The legacy will live on.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Before I have a chance to steady myself for Maverik’s punishing kiss, he has me wrapped up and dipped slightly backwards as he places the sweetest kiss on my lips. I dart my tongue into his mouth, soaking up every ounce of this moment in time. It’s something I never want to forget.

Hoots and hollers fill the air as Maverik raises me back up.

“For the first time in history, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Maverik Slatter.”

Maverik snags Mav by the arm, tucking him into his other side.

“The Slatters,” he announces as we walk down the aisle.

So many familiar and smiling faces pass by as we walk to the end—all three of us—hand in hand. Maverik drops to his knees with the attention of all the wedding party still on us and pulls a buckle from his back pocket.

“Son, this is yours, and I expect you to hand it down to your boy one day. It’s the very first champion buckle I ever won.”

Mav’s face lights up as Maverik undoes the buckle he’s wearing and clasps the new one on. He doesn’t respond with a thank you, rather a hug. Another loud round of cheers erupt.

“My boys,” I say, wrapping both of them up in a hug. “And no more surprises for a while.”

Maverik laughs. “I had to, Ella.”

“I know,” I whisper.

He guides me over to a chair and forces me to sit down as several guests come up to congratulate us. There are several tables and chairs surrounding the dance floor. The DJ starts playing western music as everyone socializes.

“Ella.” I look up to Challis running over to me. “We’re sisters!”

I stand up to hug her and don’t miss the death glare Maverik sends me.

“I’ve always wanted a sister,” I whisper into her ear.

“My turn.” Merek grabs me, slaps me on the ass, and then hugs me before I get the chance to punch him. “I can’t believe you got married in yoga pants.”

“Fuck off,” I say, punching his chest.

Merek erupts into laughter as he wraps an arm around me, and I can’t help but think how funny and really ironic it is how I’m dressed. Looking around, everyone is either in work clothes or casual and it’s such a great vibe. Weston and Marvel come and congratulate and hug us before they head to the dance floor with some girls.

Weston is clearly very comfortable with a little cutie. The twinkle in both of their eyes is unmistakable. I only wish Marvel showed the slightest bit of it. Maverik finally shared his concern about his youngest brother last night and it hurt to know how troubled Marvel is.

“Want to dance, wife?”

Johnny Cash’s
Ring of Fire
starts to play as Maverik drags me onto the dance floor. He leads me in a two step effortlessly around the dance floor.